Literacy program in action

by Philip Nippress

Over ten years ago, while I was returning to Alice Springs from Western Australia, I felt a direct calling from God.

I was admiring the Petermann Ranges on the Tjukururu Road that runs between the community of Docker River and Kata Tjuta when the feeling hit me. I believed God was wanting me to contribute to the Docker River community and use my Pitjantjatjara language skills there.

I had been a teacher for three years in the early 1980’s in the APY Lands and during my time there had worked on learning the Pitjantjatjara language. I have since continued to study and work at familiarising myself with the language by reading daily Bible passages from the Tjukurpa Palya translation.

Initially I thought this calling would be as a teacher at the school but as events transpired, I was put in contact with Pastor Malcolm Willcocks. There was an opportunity to assist him in identifying and preparing members of the church at Docker River to receive further Bible training at Nungalinya College in Darwin. Following a couple of trips for the local people to get to know me, I began working with small groups of local people, helping them to read Bible passages in both Pitjantjatjara and English. Two men have just completed a four-week course at Nungalinya College and there is the opportunity to run a similar program for women in the near future.

Finke River Mission will be reviewing the trial program in February. We thank God for this opportunity and for the wonderful help we are able to provide our Lutheran brothers and sisters in Docker River.

Philip Nippress continues to work part time as a teacher at the Araluen Christian College in Alice Springs. He is also experienced adult literacy teacher. He volunteers in providing literacy training in the Alice Springs Prison.